Hook for paint can and paint brush

ABSTRACT

An inventive elongated, generally horizontally oriented hook that is used to simultaneously carry a paint can and a paint brush at the waist of a user in order to liberate one or more of the hands, to alleviate fatigue and/or to prevent accidents. In a preferred embodiment, the hook has a clip portion which allows the hook to be removably attached to the belt or directly to the pants of a user. The hook further comprises a proximal bend and a distal bend, the former of which can be removably engaged to the bail of a paint can, while the latter can removably engage a paint brush. In one preferred embodiment, the elongated hook is made with a single piece of cylindrical wire.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of Design application Ser. No. 29/286,404, filed on May 4, 2007, now pending and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates to a hook which liberates the hands of a user when the hook is in use. More specifically, the invention involves an elongated, generally horizontally oriented hook that is removably attached to the belt or at the waist of the pants of a painter or other worker. The hook enables the painter to easily hold both a paint can and a paint brush in the vicinity of the belt so that the can and brush need not be held by the hands of a user, nor temporarily rested on the floor or a ladder when one or both of the hands are occupied with another task or need to rest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Professional and casual painters alike find it difficult to perform the task of painting when, for example, the painter must ascend a ladder to fill in hard-to-reach areas, or when the application requires greater attention to detail and the use of an extension pole is impractical. In these common situations, a painter must face the problem of handling a paint can and a paint brush while simultaneously focusing on the task of climbing a ladder which, for many, require the use of both hands. Likewise, even after reaching the top of the ladder, a painter must either hold the open paint can in one hand while painting, or place the paint can on a step of the ladder which is subsequently prone to accidentally falling off the edge thereof. In these instances, a painter must pay greater attention to balancing the painter's weight on the ladder while trying to focus on the primary task of painting, and/or endure additional fatigue if the painter chooses to hold the paint can in one hand, while holding the brush in the other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an elongated generally horizontally oriented hook that can be worn by a worker at his belt which is adapted to readily and easily carry both a paint pail and a brush, in a convenient manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an elongated hook adapted to engage a paint can and paint brush to liberate both hands of a user while climbing a ladder.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an elongated hook to reduce fatigue in the arms and hands of a painter caused by holding a paint can and/or paint brush while performing the task of painting.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an elongated hook adapted to engage a paint can and paint brush to minimize the occurrence of accidents that typically arise during the task of painting.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an elongated hook which is versatile, low in cost and can be sold in mass retail stores for use by professional and casual painters alike.

Additional objectives will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows.

In summary, there is provided an elongated hook, which at one end removably attaches to the belt or other garment preferably at the waist area of the painter. The hook extends away from the belt, is generally horizontally extended, and has a first or proximal bend which can be removably engaged to the bail of a paint can, and another distal bend, which can removably engage a paint brush. This engagement may take place, for example, while the paint can has its cover removed and the paint brush has its brush end partially located in or in the vicinity of the paint can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the attached drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive hook worn on the belt of a user, with both a paint pail and a paint brush engaged on the hook;

FIG. 2 is a right side, partial cross sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hook of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the hook;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the hook;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the hook;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the hook;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the inventive hook worn on the belt of a user, with both a paint pail and a paint brush engaged on the hook;

FIG. 9 is a right side, partial cross sectional view, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the hook of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the second preferred embodiment of the hook of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 7 depict a first preferred embodiment of the hook 10 of the present invention. The hook 10 is constructed of an elongated piece of cylindrical wire and includes a clip portion 12, a first or proximal bend 14 which is intended to removably engage the bail of a paint can, and a second or distal bend 16 which is intended to removably engage a paint brush through the conventional aperture typically found in the handle thereof. The hook 10 also includes an intermediate bar 18 situated between the first bend 14 and the second bend 16, and a tip 20 positioned at the end of the hook 10 beyond the second bend 16. For the purpose primarily relating to safety, a tip cover 22, usually made of a plastic, is optionally provided over the tip 20. Preferably, in this embodiment, a single piece of metallic wire, bent according to form, is utilized to fabricate the hook 10. However, it should also be understood that other suitable materials such as thermoplastics molded to the general shape and form described herein may be utilized as well. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wire utilized in connection with the first embodiment of the hook 10 should be of a sufficient gauge or thickness, and preferably 4 mm, so as to be resistant to deformation during typical use of the hook 10. Thus, for example, it is most desirable for the hook 10 to be sufficiently resilient to bending or breaking as a result of the weight of a paint can.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the clip portion 12 includes a first vertical element 24, a first upper bend 26 which leads into a second vertical, diagonally oriented element 28, which in turn leads to a bottom end 29 of a loop 30, which in turn leads to a third vertical, diagonally oriented element 32, which leads via second upper bend 34 to fourth vertical element 36. The vertical elements 24 and 36 are parallel and adjacent, while the vertical, diagonally orientated elements 28, 32 form the loop 30.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hook 10 is intended to engage a belt Z on a pair of a work pants W of a painter or other worker. Of course, if a worker is not wearing a belt, the hook 10 may be engaged directly to a pair of pants. The clip portion 12 engages the back side and front side of the belt Z of the pants W of the worker, and more specifically, the second vertical element 28 and the third vertical element 32 are located against the interior face of the belt Z, while the first vertical element 24 and the fourth vertical element 36 are located on the exterior face of the belt Z. There is preferably a small space between these two pairs of vertical elements (i.e., the first and fourth vertical elements 24, 36 and the second and third vertical elements 28, 32), so the same can fit over the belt Z snuggly. Likewise, the spacing can be varied such that the distance between the respective pairs of vertical elements 24, 36 and 28, 32 near upper bends 26, 34 is greater than near the bottom end 29.

Preferably, the bottom end 29 of the loop 30 has a slightly outward tilt or angled portion 31 (i.e., away from the user) to accommodate and/or push against the area of the body of the painter slightly below the belt Z. Depending on the width of the belt that is worn, the bottom end 29 of the loop 30 and angled portion 31 may also be situated against the interior face of the belt, for example, when the belt has a width that is larger than the distance between bottom end 29 of the loop 30 and upper bend 26. However, in most instances, the angled portion 31 extends beyond the lower edge of the belt and pushes against the body of the user.

Vertical, diagonally oriented elements 28, 32 are also preferably spaced sufficiently apart from each other to resist unwanted lateral movement of the hook 10 to the left and/or to the right when the hook 10 is in use. However, it should also be understood that vertical elements 28, 32 may instead be oriented substantially vertically (with no diagonal component), or in other desired configurations, for example, an in-and-out configuration which provides additional resistance against movement of the hook 10 between the belt Z and pants W of a user.

The proximal bend 14 is intended to removably engage the bail B of the paint can and connects the fourth vertical element 36 and a fifth vertical element 42. The second or distal bend 16 is connected to the first or proximal bend 14 by the intermediate, essentially horizontal bar 18. The distal bend 16 is formed by and connects a first upwardly, distal, diagonal segment 44 and a second upwardly, distal, diagonal segment 46. The distal bend 16 removably engages a paint brush P, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Although it is preferable for distal segment 46 in particular to be diagonal in order to allow it to more easily pass through the aperture of the paint brush P, it should be understood that both distal segments 44, 46 may likewise be constructed as substantially vertical components connected by distal bend 16.

As shown in the figures, it is preferable for proximal bend 14 to have a depth greater than that of distal bend 16 so that the paint can rest at a height lower than the paint brush P, and so the paint brush P can, if desired, rest at least partially inside the paint can. Further, as shown in the figures, the proximal bend 14 and the distal bend 16 are preferably in line with one another, and on an axis essentially perpendicular to the clip portion 12.

Again, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated hook 10 can be easily slipped over the belt Z on a pair of pants W of a painter or other worker, and then the bail B of the paint can be placed into the first bend 14, which is situated away from the clip, the hook 10 being generally horizontally oriented, while the paint brush P is slipped onto the second bend 16 through its conventional aperture in the handle portion of the paint brush P. The painter can then easily hold a can of paint at his waist, and can simultaneously hold a paint brush P on the hook 10 at the distal bend 16. This allows the user to liberate both hands while climbing a ladder, having both a can of paint and a brush connected as his waist. Advantageously, a user can also paint at floor level or while situated on a ladder in a convenient manner since one hand may hold the brush, while the other hand is free to, for example, maintain balance or hold on to a ladder or other surface.

A second embodiment of the hook 110 is shown in FIGS. 8 through 15. The primary difference between the second hook embodiment 110 and the first hook embodiment 10 is that the second embodiment of the hook 110 is constructed of a plastic material, but otherwise the two embodiments of the hook 10, 110 have generally corresponding components. Specifically, the hook 110 includes a clip portion 112 which includes a first or proximal bend 114, a second or distal bend 116 and an intermediate portion 118, said intermediate portion 118 connecting the first bend 114 with the second bend 116. As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the proximal bend 114 is configured to engage the bail B of a paint can while the distal bend 116 is configured to accommodate a paint brush P or, more specifically, the aperture commonly found in a handle of such a paint brush.

The clip portion 112 further includes, as best shown in FIG. 10, a first, rear, flat, vertical face element or panel 124 which terminates in an angled portion 131. The rear, flat vertical face element 124 leads into a first upper bend 126, which in turn leads into a second, intermediate, flat vertical element or panel 128, the elements 124, 128 being either substantially parallel or converging toward one another (without necessarily touching) as the elements 124, 128 approach the angled portion 131. In this respect, each in embodiment of the hook 10, 110, the clip portion 12, 112 is spring-biased, allowing the clip portion 12, 112 to “open” so that the hook 110, 110 can be applied to a belt Z or pants W, and then “close” so that it is securely fastened to the belt Z or pants W. The elements 124 and 128 are preferably spaced apart sufficiently or have sufficient flex so that the clip 112 can slip over and engage the belt Z on a pair of pants W of a worker. The intermediate vertical element 128 leads into the proximal bend 114, used for engaging the bail B of the paint can as previously mentioned, which in turns leads to a third, forward, flat vertical element or panel 132. The third vertical element 132 leads into a second upper bend 134 which, via the intermediate portion 118 leads into the distal bend 116. Preferably, as in connection with the first embodiment, the first upper bend 126 of the clip portion 112 is positioned at a height greater than that of second upper bend 134 connecting the proximal bend 114 and the distal bend 116. The distal bend 116 connects and is formed by a first upwardly, distal, diagonal segment 144 and a second upwardly, distal, diagonal segment 146, which are intended to removably engage the aperture in a paint brush P as previously stated. The tip 120 is at the end of the hook 110. A relatively softer piece of plastic or rubber may be used to at the tip 120 if desired. Connecting the intermediate portion 118 and the third, forward vertical element 132 is a brace 147 which prevents the second upper bend 134 and/or intermediate portion 118 from breaking or deforming.

Both embodiments of the hook 10, 110 allow the bail B of a paint can to pass the distal bends 16, 116 of the respective hooks 10, 110 and engage the hook 10, 110 at the proximal bends 14, 114, respectively.

Although the invention is described in terms of particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An elongated hook for use by a worker wearing a garment, for simultaneously carrying a paint brush and a paint can, the hook being oriented generally horizontally outwardly with respect to said worker, said hook comprising: a clip portion to removably engage said hook to said garment; a proximal bend attached to said clip portion, said proximal bend adapted to engage a bail of the paint can; and a distal bend attached to said proximal bend, said distal bend adapted to engage a paint brush.
 2. The elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hook is formed of a single piece of wire, said wire having a thickness enabling said hook to be resistant to deformation during use of said hook.
 3. The elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hook is formed at least in part of a plastic material.
 4. The elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an intermediate bar, said intermediate bar connecting said proximal bend and said distal bend such that said proximal bend is positioned between said distal end and said clip portion.
 5. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein said garment is either a belt or a pair of pants, each of said belt and pair of pants having an inner face and an outer face, and further wherein the clip portion includes at least two sets of vertical elements, one of said set being in configured to engage the inner face of said belt or said pair of pants and the other set of vertical elements being configured to engage the outer face of said belt or said pair of pants.
 6. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein the proximal bend and the distal bend are on an axis essentially perpendicular to the clip portion.
 7. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein the proximal bend and the distal bend 16 are in line with one another.
 8. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein the proximal bend has a depth greater than that the distal bend.
 9. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clip portion includes a pair of diagonally oriented elements which combine to form a loop.
 10. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein said garment has an interior, and further wherein the clip portion has a flat rear face, said face engaging said interior of said garment.
 11. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 10, wherein said garment is a belt.
 12. An elongated hook as set forth in claim 1, wherein said garment is a belt having a lower edge, and wherein the clip portion has a lower angled portion intended to push against a body of a user below said lower edge of said belt.
 13. An elongated hook for use by a worker wearing a garment, for simultaneously carrying a paint brush and a paint can, the hook being oriented generally horizontally outwardly with respect to said worker, said hook comprising: a clip, for attaching said hook to said garment of said worker, said clip having a first vertical panel, a second vertical panel and a first upper bend, wherein said first vertical panel is connected to said second vertical panel at said first upper bend; a proximal bend; a third vertical panel, said proximal bend positioned between said second panel and said third panel; a second upper bend; an intermediate portion, said second upper bend connecting said intermediate portion and said third vertical panel; a distal bend; and a tip, said distal bend positioned between said intermediate portion and said tip.
 14. A hook as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a brace, said brace positioned between said intermediate portion and said third vertical panel.
 15. A hook as set forth in claim 13, wherein said hook is formed at least in part of plastic.
 16. A hook as set forth in claim 13, further comprising an outwardly angled portion, said outwardly angled portion connected to said first vertical panel.
 17. A hook as set forth in claim 13, said proximal bend having a first depth and said distal end having a second depth, wherein said first depth is greater than said second depth.
 18. A hook as set forth in claim 13, wherein said proximal bend is lower than said distal bend.
 19. A hook as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first upper bend is higher than said second upper bend.
 20. A hook as set forth in claim 13, wherein said distal bend connects and is formed by two diagonal segments.
 21. A hook comprising: a clip portion; a proximal bend attached to said clip; an intermediate horizontal bar; a distal bend, said distal bend attached to said proximal bend with said intermediate bar, and said distal bend positioned at a height greater than said proximal bend; wherein said clip portion, proximal bend, intermediate horizontal bar and said distal bend are formed of a single piece of wire.
 22. A hook as set forth in claim 21, wherein said clip portion comprises a loop.
 23. A hook as set forth in claim 22, wherein said loop comprises an outward angled portion.
 24. A hook as set forth in claim 21, said clip portion comprising two vertical elements that cooperate with one another to engage a belt or pants of a user.
 25. A hook as set forth in claim 21, wherein said proximal bend connects and is formed by two generally vertical segments.
 26. A hook as set forth in claim 21, wherein said distal bend connects and is formed by two diagonal segments. 